Before and After Easter: Activities and Ideas - Lent to Pentecost

Debbie Trafton O'Neal tells the fascinating history and traditions of Lent, then takes families on a day-by-day journey through the season. Included are interesting crafts, activities, recipes and worship ideas for Lent, weeks of Easter, and the day of Pentecost.

''And God said, 'This is a sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come.'''
Genesis 9:12

The legend of the dogwood
Many years ago, there was a dogwood tree growing on the hill outside of the city of Jerusalem. At that time the dogwood tree was one of the tallest and mightiest of the trees; as strong as an oak tree. And this particular tree was the tallest of all the dogwoods and very proud of it too.

To everyone who passed by, this dogwood would brag. ''I know that something wonderful will happen to me. Perhaps I'll become the mast that holds the sails on a great sailing ship, or the beam that supports a house or temple.''

As time passed and the tree continued to grow, it could only wonder as to what it would become. One day it happened. The proud dogwood tree was cut down. But the tree did not become a mast or even a beam. Instead it became the cross on which Jesus was nailed for the crucifixion. The tree was horrified and it groaned in agony as the two pieces of its trunk were nailed into the shape of a cross.

Now as Jesus carried the cross to Calvary, he took pity on the tree, ''You will never be used in this way again,'' he said. ''From this day, your shape will be changed, just as the world will change after my death. You will become a slender tree of great beauty that sways gently in the breeze. And instead of acorns, you will bear white flowers in the shape of the cross. In the center of the flowers there will be a crown of thorns, a reminder forever that I spent my last hours with you. And each petal will carry red stains to show how you suffered with me.''

Have you seen the flowers of the dogwood tree? They appear just as the legend says.


Signs of spring
After long months of winter, we look eagerly for signs of spring. In the midst of Lent, it is good to realize that spring, with its promise of new life, will soon be here. Try bringing a bit of spring indoors to brighten your winter here!

If you have a pussy willow or forsythia bush in your yard, cut some branches. Bringing them into the warmth of your house can force them into bloom.

Cut the branches on a slant and set them in a container of warm water. Set the container in a cool place, like a basement, until the branches begin to leaf out. Soon, the water and the warmth will cause them to bloomâ?"a sure sign of the spring to come!

Read how "Arts and Books: Alternative ideas for '02 " recommends this book.
— Linda-Marie Delloff, The Lutheran January 2002